Gender, Education and Post-traumatic Reactions of Victims of Cattle Rustling in Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the influence of gender and level of education on Posttraumatic Stress Reactions of Victims of Cattle Rustling conflict. The study was guided by two objectives. The first one was to find out whether gender influences Posttraumatic Stress Reactions. 384 victims comprising 258 males (67.2%) and 126 females (32.8%) were studied. Descriptive survey design was employed in the conduct of the study. The instruments used to collect data were students’ demographic characteristics sheet and a 23-item Post-traumatic Stress Reaction Inventory DSM-5. T-test for independent samples and ANOVA were the statistical tools used to analyze data. Results revealed no significant influence of gender on Posttraumatic reactions of victims of cattle rustling in Zamfara state. In addition, lower level of literacy or its absence was found to elicit higher feelings of psychological reactions to traumatic events. Similarly, literacy level increases victims’ coping strategies in dealing with traumatic experience. Part of the recommendations is the need prompt treatment of both men and women equally by teaching ways to manage their fears, and anxiety. There is the need for stakeholders in education especially the school psychologists to create enabling environment which will instill and sustain adult desire for education.